Accused alleges harassment by soldiers

One of the accused persons in the conspiracy to murder trial alleged in the High Court that Military officers who assaulted them during their arrest were making racist comments against Ballu Khan and claimed in court of constant harassment by the Fiji Military Forces after the events of December 5th 2006.

Sivaniolo Naulago, who was the General Manager for Ballu Khan=s company Pacific Connex, also told the court how the former CRW members, who are his co-accused, were hired to work as Security guards for Ballu Khan.

Naulago recalled that after an incident at the Ba Provincial Council office in Ba in early 2006, where some men stormed the building one day to take over the premises, Khan was allegedly implicated in the incident through media reports after which he advised Khan on the need to get some protection.

According to Naulago, Khan than contacted former NLTB Lawyer Tevita Bukarau who rounded up Barbedos Mills, Feoko Gadekibau and Eperama Waqatairewa to provide security detail for Khan.

Naulago than alleged that after December, 2006, the Pacific Connex Office was under constant surveillance by the RFMF.

He said several raids were also carried out at Pacific Connex by gun wielding soldiers and that the former CRW soldiers were taken to the Military barracks for questioning on several occasions.

Naulago also told the court that Ballu Khan was also taken to QEB and was spoken to by Colonel Pita Driti and alleged that Driti told Khan that if anything was going to happen, Khan, his employees and Pacific Connex would be collateral damage number one.
 

Speaking of his arrest, Naulago claimed that at the Delainavesi Police Post, they were barbarically assaulted with malice and intentions to maim them.

He alleged that during the assault, one soldier named Korovou kept asking them why they are working for an Indian as they are the main cause of all the problems in Fiji.

He also recalled that after his arrest, while being driven to Valelevu, the Police Officer in the van Tevita Uluilakeba told him that he better pray hard that he lives to see the daylight the next morning.

Earlier today, another accused, Barbados Mills gave sworn evidence and alleged that Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli and his group had approached him to kill the Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and wanted to trap him in their plot.

Barbados Mills while being questioned by Defence Lawyer Iqbal Khan told the court that Peniasi Kuli called him and pestered him to join his group but he only put up with Kuli because, after the events of December 2006, they were allegedly threatened by the Fiji Military Forces that if something was to happen, the former CRW soldiers would face the full brunt of the army, whether they were involved in plan or not.

He said he only agreed to meet Kuli to ensure his safety, the safety of his co-accused and his employer Ballu Khan.